"I believe NPS erred in not rehabilitating the elevator when the monument was closed for renovations," Holmes Norton said in a statement. "When an elevator seems to be in good shape, but is a one-of-a-kind elevator that operates 13 hours per day from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and eight hours per day thereafter, the elevator's lifespan must be uniquely measured."

"It's easier to say that it may close down for almost a year, to be totally fixed, than have it close down periodically and not know when it's going to happen," she said.

Suspect in Georgia Officer Shooting Dead

Authorities announced the death of Minquell Kennedy Lembrick, 32, on Dec. 8, 2016 after a manhunt stemming from a domestic abuse call at an Americus, Georgia apartment. (Published Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016)